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Medical Cards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Ceisteanna (539, 540, 541)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

636 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if receipents of Health Amendment Act cards will have access to Telapravir and Bocepravir as part of their treatment scheme. [25210/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am pleased to confirm that a decision has been made to make Boceprevir (Victrelis) and Telaprevir (Incivo), which are Hepatitis C protease inhibitor drugs, available within the hospital system for the treatment of Hepatitis C. The new treatments have been found to be effective in treating adult patients with Hepatitis C genotype 1 infection, who have compensated liver disease and who are previously untreated, or who have failed previous therapy. The use of these drugs requires a detailed programme of treatment and monitoring of progress. The HSE is putting in place the protocols and structures to allow treatment to begin as soon as possible.

Anyone who meets the criteria under the protocols will have access to these new treatments.

Clare Daly

Ceist:

637 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will organise the involvement of the consultative council to resolve the issues of difference between the support groups and the Health Service Executive in relation to the HSE’s assessment of the health and social care needs of Health Amendment Act cardholders. [25211/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Under the Health Amendment Act (No. 15 of 1996) the Health Amendment Act (HAA) Card is given to men, women and children who contracted Hepatitis C from the administration within the State of blood or blood products. The HAA Card gives entitlements to additional health and social services, on more flexible terms and conditions than the medical card. The HAA Card and the entitlements under it are for the lifetime of the cardholder.

It is the responsibility of the HSE to assess the health and social care needs of persons with Hepatitis C who are Health Amendment Act (HAA) Cardholders. This is necessary to fulfil its duty of care to this cohort and plan services to adequately meet client needs and to ensure that a proper system of governance and accountability exists in relation to funds assigned for the purpose of service provision. I consider that the health and well-being of people with Hepatitis C is paramount.

With these factors in mind, I believe that an individualised assessment of need for each person who is in receipt of these supports is needed. While there is strong support for an assessment of need process among a number of organisations representing those with Hepatitis C, other organisations have expressed opposition to it.

I am anxious to move the process forward as soon as possible so that the needs of patients can be met in the most effective way. In February of this year I reiterated my offer of an independent arbitrator to resolve the matter. I believe that this is the fairest means of dealing with the issue and I look forward to the response of the organisations concerned.

Clare Daly

Ceist:

638 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will organise Health Amendment Act cards for the approximately 30 women who have tested negative for hepatitis C but who have been medically deemed to have all the symptoms of sufferers. [25212/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Health Amendment Act (HAA) Card is given to men, women and children who contracted Hepatitis C from the administration within the State of blood or blood products.

Under the Health (Amendment) Act,1996 the entitlement of an individual to a HAA Card and to related services is decided by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Health Service Executive. The CEO is bound by the definition of eligibility in the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2006, which requires a positive diagnostic test for applications received by the Tribunal after the specified date of 20 June, 2006.

A great deal of consideration has been given to the issue of recipients of Anti-D who have neither tested positive for Hepatitis C, nor had a positive Tribunal decision in their favour. A number of women who have tested negative for Hepatitis C have experienced a variety of symptoms. However, there is no scientific proof that the symptoms are specific evidence of Hepatitis C infection. Indeed some symptoms of Hepatitis C, such as fatigue, fibromyalgia and depression, are common conditions that occur in the general population.

It is estimated that up to 16,000 women in Ireland were exposed to potentially infectious batches of Anti-D and approximately 1,000 of these women were infected with Hepatitis C. Extending eligibility for HAA cards to those who have tested negative for Hepatitis C would have significant implications for the scheme overall.

I am sympathetic to the women in question, but taking account of international practice and the rationale which led to the passing of the 2006 Act, I am satisfied that the present arrangements are reasonable in the circumstances. I will of course review any new information which becomes available in relation to this matter.

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